Author Archives: Felician Mission: Haiti

The Diocese of Jacmel is on its way to building its Cathedral, thanks to the help of the USCCB (United States Catholic Conference of Bishops). So far, there is the wall, fence and gate. This is a great joy for the people of the diocese.

Haiti is in the same time zone as the east coast of the United States; thus, we were to move our clocks ahead one hour Saturday night. Here in Haiti, however, we have learned that, when there is a time change, you wait for everyone to catch up. Sunday morning Mass is still on the old time; after Mass, the priest announces to move your clocks ahead one hour. Now this is how it is done in the city of Jacmel. We hope by the end of the week everyone in the mountains will catch up. The people in the mountains tell time according to the sun.

Today we had our first group for Lenten catechesis.

Today, March 6, was the first day of meeting with our new staff for the Mother Angela Mobil Clinic. Our staff members are Dr. Yves Derisier, MD; Norma Salom, RN; and Rosemanie Desamours, Pharmacist. We are expecting to get our Toyota ambulance next week. It is exciting to prepare to meet this great need of bringing a mobil clinic to the poor in the mountains.

Tonight at 5 p.m., we had Mass celebrating Ash Wednesday. Many of our kids attended, as well as some adults from the neighborhood. Before the final blessing, those who would be coming for catechesis were given a special blessing. We will have four groups for catechesis, ranging from ages 7-19. Catechesis will be held on Thursdays and Fridays in the morning and in the afternoon. Of course, classes will be offered in Creole. We need the light of the Holy Spirit to speak through us in Creole.

We are blest to have two new priests as our neighbors on the third floor of our building. Fr. Valcin and Fr. Elicien were invited to come to the Diocese to serve the parish of St. Micheal’s. We now have Mass everyday in our chapel.

This seems to be the request we have been hearing from our children, and we know we need to respond. For the past few weeks, our kids have been attending Mass with us and want to begin catechesis. Some of the children and young people who come to us are Protestant, Baptist, or not practicing any faith. Only a few of them are Catholic. We tell our young people to go to church services with their parents. Please pray with us as we discern what we must do.

Every Friday and Saturday, the Felician Sisters Artists Haiti gather for activities; and we are rejoicing that we now have a group of girls with a special arts and crafts project just for them. The girls are learning how to make floral paper art. We remember doing this when we were children. Their hope is to make paper flower decorations, which they can sell for church and other celebrations. In Haiti, there are not that many real flowers for decorating, so they depend on paper flowers. As you can see from the pictures, these flowers are beautiful.

After the art activities, the kids enjoy some organized sports.

Today’s reading from James 4:15 is one of the first phrases we learned in Creole, “Si Bondye vle.” Haitian people use this very often, especially when something is planned to happen or they expect to meet you another time or day. We wonder if this is from the difficult life experiences they have. They seem to accept all things that come their way whether good or bad. We are learning a lot from our brothers and sisters. “Si Bondye vle.”